5 new things to love about Oktoberfest

BETHLEHEM — When Oktoberfest presented by Yuengling debuted at SteelStacks in Bethlehem last year, people from near and far came out to enjoy the music, food and fun. This year D.G. Yuengling & Son and ArtsQuest have ratcheted up the excitement a notch by adding several new events, activities and attractions guests can experience.

Here’s a look at five new elements of Oktoberfest that attendees are sure to love:

Oktoberfest Skills Challenge

Oct. 6, noon to 5 p.m.

Presented by D.G. Yuengling & Son and Banko Beverage Company

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It’s bar against bar as 10 area taverns come together for an afternoon of fun-filled competition. Watch as contestants roll 30-pound beer barrels, compete in a 50-yard dash while carrying mugs filled with beer, play Brat Flip Cup and use every muscle in their body to pull a 40,000-pound beer truck.

Taverns participating in the Skills Challenge include Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub, Machs Gute Pub & Grille, Sotto Santi, Tally-Ho, Starters Riverport, Roosevelt’s 21st, Pizza Como, PJ Whelihan’s Pub & Restaurant, Joe’s Tavern and The Steel Pub. Come out and cheer on these local businesses as they compete for bragging rights and the Yuengling Traveling Trophy, a unique wooden beer barrel top and tap that will have the winning pub’s name inscribed on it.

Miss Oktoberfest Contest

Presented by D.G. Yuengling & Son, Banko Beverage Company and The Morning Call

Join us as we crown the first-ever Miss Oktoberfest! Each of the taverns taking part in the Oktoberfest Skills Challenge has nominated one of its female staff members to compete for the title of Miss Oktoberfest 2012. The public can vote for its favorites by visiting The Miss Oktoberfest Webpage through Oct. 5. The winner will be crowned during the Skills Challenge Oct. 6 and serve as the grand marshal of the Oktoberfest Parade Oct. 14, 12:30 p.m.

The Official Oktoberfest Song

Germany’s legendary Oktoberfests have their own songs and now Oktoberfest presented by Yuengling does too! Every hour on the hour, the crowds will erupt in song before raising their mugs for a toast. Want to hear the song at Oktoberfest for the very first time?

Make sure you’re at the official Oktoberfest Keg Tap with D.G. Yuengling & Son President Dick Yuengling, Oct. 5, 8 p.m., at Yuengling Festhalle.

Giveaways Galore

This year Oktoberfest features some great giveaways courtesy of D.G. Yuengling & Son, MINI of Allentown and Service Electric Cable TV & Communications. If you’re one of the first 500 people in the gates, you’ll walk away with a great, free gift!

Oct. 13 - Service Electric Lederhosen T-shirt (first 500 men 18 years of age & older)

Oct. 14 - MINI of Allentown Giveaway

More Fun & Games Than Before!

Last year’s Oktoberfest games were a huge hit, and this year the festival has added even more. In addition to beer stein races, wiener dog races and barrel rolling, guests can play free games such as Giant Twister, Cliff Hanger, Oktoberfest/Bethlehem Trivia, German Spelling Bee and more. There are also amusement rides like a ferris wheel, merry-go-round and the Vertigo, creating plenty of excitement for young and old alike. The fun is all led by Kastner’s Oktoberfest Players, lively lads decked out in lederhosen and lovely ladies dressed in dirndls. These colorful characters, all portrayed by local actors and actresses, will also be traversing the Oktoberfest grounds, posing for pictures and teaching guests the official Oktoberfest song, so make sure you stop by and say hello.

On Oct. 13, 1 p.m., the popular dachshund races return! Arrive early for your spot and watch these amazing dogs run to the finish line. Every competitor will take home a prize courtesy of Whisker Biscuits, with special prizes planned for the grand-prize winners. Dog owners who want to register their dachshunds for this fun-filled event may do so at active.com.

On Oct. 13, at 2, 4 and 6 p.m., children are invited to take part in the fun-filled presentations of Middle Earth Studios interactive theater. Kids will dress in costume and be part of all the action as they play roles in Middle Earth’s “Meistersingers of Nuremburg.”

For tickets and more information, please visit www.artsquest.org or call 610-332-3378.